Health education

We work in some of the most remote parts of India, Bangladesh and Mozambique, where many communities are completely isolated and lack basic health information and support.

From water and sanitation, to identifying diseases such as leprosy, health information is vital to these communities where health facilities are sparse.

Health education vans

Our health education vans take the health messages to the people. Out on the road for weeks at a time, they visit villages to educate people about maintaining good health and teaching them about the symptoms of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis which prevail in poor communities.A driver and a member of our staff take to the roads with several different types of health education activities.

Here are just a few:

Film shows

Street plays

Magic shows

Songs

Posters, flipcharts and picture books

Radio announcements

School based health education

In India, Bangladesh and Mozambique we visit schools to teach children the signs of leprosy so that they may be able to recognise symptoms not only on themselves, but also on their families.

We screen any children with suspected symptoms and train teachers so they are able to send children for treatment.

Leprosy has a profound prejudice attached to it. During schools visits we’ll drive out myths about leprosy through talks, films and health information leaflets. We encourage children to be more accepting of their classmates who are affected by leprosy.

Last year we reached 155,000 children in India, Bangladesh and Mozambique through schools health education. It costs just £25 to conduct a school programme reaching 100 children.

We're finding ways to ensure our data collection in the field is as accurate and up-to-date as possible. By using new mobile app technology KoBoToolbox, we can gather live information about the men, women and children that we are helping.

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Leprosy is completely curable, if treated early. Yet, tragically many people diagnosed today will already have terrible disabilities due to late diagnosis. Over 3 million more people are living in the shadows, with undiagnosed leprosy, and every day the disease causes more damage to their bodies, lives and futures.
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The Lepra Edinburgh to St Andrews Cycle Ride has hit a flat….! But don’t worry, we have an extra tube or two, a hand pump and a CO2 canister and plan to be back on track in June 2020. Keep an eye out for our exciting new developments and entry arrangements here.